“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
True thanksgiving began in the Garden of Eden. This is so because of the essential definition and application of thankfulness. First of all, thankfulness implies that something has been given, that it is of worth and benefit. That something could be large or small, even a word or thought. The fact that it was a gift lays the foundation for responding to it in a right and just manner. With regard to God, the “gift,” whatever it may be, is declared by James to be of a certain quality and nature, the very reflection of Christ. He thus writes that it is “good” and “perfect.” So, again, from the smallest “gift” of a word or thought, to the overwhelming blessing of the knowledge and power of the salvation in Christ, we have put before us, and all mankind, the subject and essence of a life to be lived with thanksgiving, specifically the giving of thanks to God for His unspeakable Gift. But how can we say that thanksgiving began in the Garden of Eden?
If we would begin with the fact that everything “good” and “perfect” was given to Adam and Eve in the garden, we have seen first hand that God the Eternal, and Gracious Giver, has provided all that is in accordance with His blessed holy and good nature. It is only right to assume that Adam and Eve were thankful as they were constant recipients of God’s bountiful provision. Even after they had sinned, God made “coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Gen. 3:21) Before they asked, Christ came to give that which was good and perfect for their needs. Again we find the basis for thanksgiving first to God, for He has taken the initiative to provide for His creation. Theirs is to receive it, giving thanks to HIm.
But what about all of the history of the world that has transpired since then? What of the suffering and death that has occurred? How can one be thankful in a world where the effects of sin are so great, almost overwhelming the soul? First, we need to see and understand that God never blesses sin, but in spite of sin, blesses men. From the day Adam sinned, sin has run its course. And it would be an unrelenting, and hopeless course were it not for the “gift” of the Son. His intervention in history is the single most important occurance, and cause for thanksgiving, that we have. Beyond creation, and the unfathomable glory of God revealed in it, the redemption by the blood of Christ stands singularly elevated, and exalted, as the greatest act of the intervention of God, for the love of the world, that has, or ever will exist. Christ is the ultimate “good” and “perfect” gift, who alone has the power to counteract and deliver from the present and eternal effects of sin. Nothing was able to hinder God in His sovereign wisdom and love from giving this gift. He did so with His whole heart, for He is love. This Almighty Light of the world, this Light of Life, was interjected into this world of sin, sorrow, and sadness, to bring hope and salvation where there was none. Because of the absolute hopelessness, and helplessness of man, who is lost, and dead in his sin, the intervention of God in Christ is the ultimate reason for which man is to be thankful. However, there is another wonderful aspect of God’s intervention which is a cause of thanksgiving to Him. It is the personal working by His Spirit to bring the lost sinner to a saving knowledge of Christ. How does He do this? He creates a consciousness of need, a thirst for that which is true and right. He directs circumstances in the life to bring the individual into contact with the Gospel, that by the truth and the Life, power is given to save.
Dear Father, We gratefully praise Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.